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No Victoria AFL crowds for two more weeks

Justin ChadwickAAP
Geelong and Richmond played to no fans at the MCG in round 19 of the AFL.
Camera IconGeelong and Richmond played to no fans at the MCG in round 19 of the AFL. Credit: AAP

Hopes of Melbourne being able to host AFL finals games and the premiership decider remain in limbo after it was announced fans will be barred from attending matches in Victoria for at least two more weeks.

Victoria premier Daniel Andrews confirmed the easing of lockdown restrictions in the state will begin at 11:59pm on Tuesday, but large gatherings are still barred.

It means round 22 is the earliest that fans can return to matches in Victoria in some capacity.

That is just three weeks from the start of the finals and six weeks from the grand final.

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During the last Victorian lockdown, it took seven weeks for crowd limits to be increased to 40 per cent capacity,which at the MCG equates to 40,000.

Perth has emerged as a possible destination to host the entire nine-match finals series this year, with Adelaide and Brisbane also in the mix.

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The 60,000-seat Optus Stadium earned rave reviews when it hosted the Richmond versus Essendon Dreamtime clash in round 12, with 55,656 fans attending.

The spectacular lightshow demonstrated the $1.6 billion venue can provide the glitz and glamour that a grand final would require.

Initial reports surfaced that the AFL had told Joondalup Resort in WA to hold off all bookings from the middle of August until late September in preparation for housing AFL teams for the finals series.

But the resort has indicated it hasn't been booked out, with reservations remaining open to the public.

The Western Bulldogs and St Kilda were housed at the resort in recent weeks under strict quarantine conditions.

Andrews knows his decision to ban fans from AFL matches for at least two more weeks won't be popular, but he says it's necessary to keep Victoria safe.

"I know that's not necessarily news people want to hear but we have to be cautious," he said.

"This has not gone away. It's under control. But it's in our country."

Last year's grand final was moved to the Gabba due to a COVID-19 outbreak in Victoria.

A total of 29,707 fans attended the match.

The AFL is desperate for the grand final to return to the MCG this year, but the situation is delicate and even a minor setback could ruin those hopes.

This week will mark the third consecutive round that fans haven't been able to attend games in Victoria.

The situation has resulted in two matches being shifted to Tasmania this weekend.

North Melbourne will take on Geelong at Blundstone Arena on Saturday, while Hawthorn hosts Brisbane at the University of Tasmania Stadium on Sunday.

Hawthorn are reportedly considering whether to move its round-21 clash with Collingwood to Tasmania as well.

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